Thursday Stories

Thought I might run down the past couple of days.

Monday-

Arrive at work for the first time, work for an hour, head down to the Museum library for a render-vous with the Patrons of the Arts from Belgium. Ushered them for a private tour of the Marble restoration lab, including the hall of sarcophagi, a part of the museum currently being renovated. They then had lunch on the rooftop terrace of the Vatican museum, followed afterwards by a tour of the Vatican archives.

Tuesday-

The Patrons of Belgium had a special mass, celebrated by HE Cardinal Bertello, aka the governor of Rome, aka second in command to the Pope. Just so happened that a server was needed for the mass, and it just so happens that one of the interns has 12 years of service under his belt, and was eager to use his gifts to help the Cardinal. We were all a little shell shocked by the importance of Cardinal Bertello, but he was extremely soft spoken and seemed a very gentle man. The day that you are star struck on the altar is the day you make a mistake, and having learned from my father (many things, but some have stuck more than others) that all men put their pants on the same way, I was able to serve the mass efficiently and without messing up. Other than the paten. I've served hundreds of masses, and have done every mass there is to do (Vigil, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Baptism, Funeral, First Communion, Wedding) and helped with incense, sprinkling and everything in between. However, when Fr. Mark, the leader of the Patrons in Rome handed me the paten and told me to assist the Cardinal with Communion. Now we Maine Hites are not high society kind of folks and I have never, in my 12 years, served a mass or recall seeing a mass in which the paten was used. I kind of assumed it was to be used as a precaution in case the Holy Eucharist fell, but not knowing for sure I didn't want to just thrust it right under the governor of Rome's nose and risk offense. Wound up confusing the Belgians, the Cardinal and myself, but that's life. Live and learn I suppose.

After mass we had a private tour of the after hours Vatican museum, devoid of visitors. We got to see a lot of the art up close and personal, without being disturbed by jostling or people talking. One such work of art is the Sistine chapel, which we had a semi private tour of and were able to spend some time in. I can honestly say I have never seen anything as beautiful as that work of art. I just kind of melted into the floor and tried (but failed) to take it all in. Every little aspect of the painting tells a story. On the outside, it's the Biblical stories of Moses (Old Testament) and Jesus (New Testament) sandwiched by the Last Judgement and the Creation story. On a deeper level, all the minute decisions of the various artists tells a story of politics, history, and personal expression. Fr. Mark was a spectacular tour guide, and he pointed out a lot of details I would have overlooked. One such detail was the recurrence of a little white dog in many of the scenes. This was Michelangelo's dog, and like many pet owners he loved to "take pictures" of it to "post on his wall." Only difference is his wall was the Sistine chapel. Really a mind boggling experience.

We ended the evening with a private dinner in the Greek and Roman antiquities section, at which was served steak and potatoes (a little finer quality than what my mother makes, but still steak and potatoes) which was delicious and provided some much needed energy after the tour. We were also served champagne and white and red wines, straight from the Vatican museums storage. Truly a magical night, which I was honored to be able to attend and help out in any way possible.

Wednesday-

We visited the Holy steps with the Belgium chapter today. These steps are the same ones Jesus climbed after having been condemned by Pilate to death. One of the Pope's gave orders for the marble to be cut straight out of its fixtures in Jerusalem and brought to Rome. We climbed the steps together with the Patrons, and then were allowed into the Holy of Holies, an inner sanctuary, with an altar containing the head of one of the saints and a piece of the wood of the cross! We saw neither of these things (thankfully) but you could almost feel the aura. We finished this tour with a trip to the scaffolding. The Holy Steps are housed in a building with a beautiful mural, which is currently being restored by the Patrons, which we were allowed to go, climb the scaffolding, and see the restoration process up close and personal. On the subway back to my apartment, I happened to run into one of my buddies from ND, who is in Rome taking classes. It's a small world we all live in. More to come tomorrow!